The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-12-10
Reforming q Tramp.

| Reforming q Tramp.
"But at your age, Keturah; why
cat my age" interrupted Miss Bassett
tartly. "You speak as if I was sec
ond Methuselah, brother. I'd like Il
know if I hain't FIVE years younger
you, and you won't be fifty till Christ
mas"
"Five years." repeated the deacon
in meditative tone. "Why though
it was only three. The family Bibl
says that you were born in the year
.I can't help what the family Bibl'
says" interrupted Miss Keturah again
"It's liable to make mistakes like the
rest of folks. I guess ought to know
my age; and I'm going to be married
no matter how old / am. So there |"
'tI'm sure I hope you'll be happy
said the deacon, in a resigned tone
ats great risk to run late in life
though.
"Brother, do stop harping on thai
string. If there's any risk I'm willing
to run it, an SOS Benjamin. Land
knows he's old enough to look out fol
us both-he's turned sixty"
"There are many snares and pitfalls
in the state of matrimony," said the
deacon, solemnly. "And after we have
escaped them for nearly half century,
it seems like tempting Providence"
Jeremiah, you'll drive me wild il
you keep on!'' cried Miss Keturah,
thoroughly out of patience. "Do talk
of something else. My principal wor-
riment is how to leave you. When ]
am fifty miles off l can't be of much
help here"
"That's so," assented the Deacon
81 hadn't thought of it before but it
will be rather lonely when you're gone.
"Wishing won't move it," said the
practical Keturah. "Sowe won't waste
time in idle words. The plain question
is-how are you to get along7 Who's
to wash, mend and take care of you,
see to the dairy, and attend the poul-
try7'
"There's Miranda Blake" said the
deacon thoughtfully, 81 might get her
to come"
"That slovenly creature no |" an
swered Miss Keturah, with great en-
phasis on the negative. "Mandy Blake
don't come here, if l can help it. I've
slaved for twenty years to keep this
house clean, and it shan't 60 dirty after
I'm gone"
81 don't know of anybody else
could hire" said the deacon, meekly.
"Neither do l." coincided Keturah,
with a cheerfulness that surprised her
brother.
81 have gone over the ground in my
mind fifty times. There isn't woman
in the village who would suit the place.
You want some one who would take an
interest in things, and carry on the
milk and egg business to your profit, as
I have done. Some one who would see
that you didn't forget to change your
clothes regular, or wind up the kitchen
clock every Sunday night. Brother,
there is only one thing that you can do.
Follow my example-get married"
The deacon started from his chair !;
the newspaper fell from his hand, and
he gazed at his sister as if he thought
she had been suddenly bereft of her
reason.
s.I mean it." said Miss Keturah, 60
ing on with her knitting. "It's the
only thing for you to do. You couldn't
stay here alone. You're the most help
less mortal ever knew, and if any man
ever needed wife, you do"
''It would be harder for me to find a
wife than housekeeper," said the dea-
con, sinking back into his chair.
"Not at all. You're a personable
man. know good many who would
jump at you if you made them an offer.
You've fine farm, too, and fifty odd
head of stock"
"There's Lizzie Snarley," said the
deacon, refectively.
"That fighty thing! No indeed i
She hasn't an ounce of brains and she's
fully twenty years younger'n you are. |"
s'The Widow Bellamy ?" suggested
the deacon, who had grown so used to
his sisters dictation that he invariably
submitted to her opinion. elbow
would she doa"
''She wouldn't do at ALL" answered
Miss Keturah, calmly. "Her mind is
always on her find clothes and fol-de-
rolls. No brother you want woman
of sense and good judgment. I know
of only one that I'd trust to take charge
here after me, and she is now living in
New Bethany"
"Who do you mean, Keturah 2"
"Miss Thankful Todd" answered
Miss Keturah, with the air of one who
expected to create surprise.
The deacon turned his mild blue eyes
on his sister and smiled benignly.
"Why, I don't even know her BY
sight," he said slowly. "What made
you settle on her 2"
"Because she's the smartest woman
can bring to mind," was the answer
"And you needn't stop for want of &C
quaintance. Go over to New Bethany
tomorrow. I'll give you note of in
PRODUCTION, and"
"You don't want me to ask her to
morrow Z" interrupted the deacon, il
alarm.
s'No !; but you can make beginning
and you can 60 over once week unit
the matters settled. There's no tim